FORMING

LASER ETCHING

ASSEMBLY

KITTING

AFTERMARKET

Services: ​  Forming

Below are some of the typical forming process we regularly undertake:-

• Cutting to length of plastic tube or electrical insulated wire
• Tube and wire bending and cutting                                                                                     (This is undertaken at our Redditch site by listertube)
• CNC Turning & Milling
• Welding and brazing services
• Coiling tube or wire
• Fly press activities (Bending/Straightening/Stamping)
• ​Deflashing/de-burring
• Flow drilling
• 3D Printing

If you don’t see what you need just ask – We can probably do it!

Deflashing/de-burring

Using automatic vibratory finishing equipment we provide a component deflash, de-burr, polish or pre-plating surface improvement service. Both certain non-ferrous and ferrous parts are capable of being processed in a variety of shapes and sizes.

​Large numbers of parts are handled simultaneously although the technique can be used on low volumes if required. ​

Components are placed in a machine along with appropriate abrasive media. The vibrations circulate the parts against the media resulting in the required finish through a grinding action. Integrated wash and drying units ensure parts come out clean and contaminant free.

As a mass finishing technique, our subcontract vibratory finishing service is less labour intensive than manual methods, resulting in a more consistent quality of output and a cost-effective solution to your component finishing needs. ​

 

Flow drilling

Our flow drilling and tapping service provides a unique solution for producing tapped holes in thin wall or sheet material such as tube, eliminating the requirement of trying to attach an insert. ​

During the flow drilling process, in creating the hole, the displaced material is formed into a bush of typically 300% greater depth than the original component thickness. This additional created depth can allow for the use of threads which would otherwise have been inadequate using the parent material thickness alone. Flow drilling can be used on steel including stainless, aluminium, copper and certain of its alloys. ​

Advantages:-

• No need for access to the rear of the workpiece for attaching a secondary nut
• Forms a strong screw joint allowing high loading as the material is homogeneous
• Suitable for a range of thread diameters and material thicknesses
• Fasteners such as weld nuts/rivet nuts are not required saving both cost and fitting time​ ​

Where feasible we are happy to produce a sample for assessment/confirmation of the achievable form. Please contact us to discuss your application and exact requirements.​

 

3D Printing

Our 3D printing service utilises Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) 3D printing technology along with the latest 3D CAD software. We can work with you to develop highly accurate checking jigs, fixtures, tooling and prototypes as either single part or multi-part assemblies. These can be designed from engineering drawings, CAD models or samples. Various materials are available including PLA, ABS, Nylon, Polycarbonate and PVA, allowing complex parts with over-hangs to be produced. 

Advantages of 3D printing are..

• ​As no special tooling is required to operate the process, lead times are short allowing parts to be produced rapidly, reducing both design and prototype cycle compared with conventional approach
• Parts of high complexity can be produced as not constrained by the forms achievable using material removal techniques
• Increased shop floor quality and improved production efficiency using 3D printed jigs and fixtures

Checking jigs and production fixtures can be produced to accurate tolerances. These provide an easy and reliable way of controlling tolerances during your manufacturing process. 3D printed tooling is useful for low-volume production or product development prior to tooling up. We can print tooling in solid Nylon or Polycarbonate, offering impressive strength and durability. We can also assist you with product development by producing prototypes or undertaking low-volume production where expensive tooling for processes such as injection moulding is not economically viable.

​We print individual pieces within a space envelope up to 197 mm x 215 mm x 200 mm, but using rigid interlocking joints, assemblies over several times these dimensions can be produced.

Contact us to discuss and explore your potential requirements, achievable component geometries and the appropriate product material for your application.
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